A teenager convicted of driving drunk and killing her best friend is getting out of jail to celebrate her high school graduation.

But many parents said they are upset and want to know why this teen is getting released from the Youth Diagnostic and Development Center in just a few days to graduate, even though she has a history of criminal behavior.

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On Saturday, 18-year-old Samantha Quintana will be participating in her Bernalillo High School graduation ceremony. But Tanya Delara, a parent, said letting Quintana out of jail for the event sends a message to students that drinking and driving is acceptable.

"It's kind of a shame," said Delara. "The bar is set low by allowing her to walk."

Court documents show Quintana was driving drunk in Taos in March of 2008 when she killed her best friend. Officials said Quintana was put on supervised probation, but that the teen was sent to YDDC after she was found drunk at Bernalillo High School late last year.

Quintana has been at YDDC since February.

Sandoval County Judge Louis McDonald asked leaders at YDDC if they'd release her from custody for the graduation, and they agreed.

"It was definitely a serious case," said McDonald. "I thought this would be a good way for her to feel good about herself coming forward."

McDonald said he worked with Quintana in the drug court program, and said she's made significant progress.

"I consider her to be a success in the sense that we made changes in her life," said McDonald.

McDonald believes letting Quintana walk through graduation will help with her rehabilitation. The principal of the high school said he also he supports Quintana being at the graduation.

Jail officals said two guards will be with her the entire time, except for when she walks to get her diploma. Officials said she'll go back to YDDC right after graduation to finish her two-year sentence.